Lia Block is gearing up for her return to Rally America, but this time, it’s with a thrilling twist. The 2023 ARA Open 2WD champion will step into a Subaru WRX for the Lake Superior Performance Rally later this month. This event marks her first experience racing for the manufacturer so closely associated with her father, Ken Block.
A Championship Car and a Familiar Team
Block will drive the Vermont SportsCar-built Subaru WRX ARA24, the car that clinched the championship this year. She will temporarily fill in for Brandon Semenuk, who has already secured his 2024 title and opted to sit out the final race. This will be Block’s second time driving an all-wheel-drive rally car. Her first run in an AWD car was last season, piloting her father’s iconic Escort RS Cosworth. Although she has limited experience with all-wheel-drive cars, Lia Block has showcased her talent by winning four out of five races in Rally America’s Open 2WD category.
Continuing the Block-Subaru Legacy
This rally will also be Block’s first time racing in a Subaru, reviving a connection between the brand and the Block family. Ken Block made his Rally America debut with Subaru in 2005 and continued with them until 2010, when he switched to Ford for an 11-year partnership. Ken Block made a short comeback to Subaru in 2021 following the conclusion of his deal with Ford. Now, Lia Block is set to make her mark with the Subaru WRX, prepared by Vermont SportsCar — the same championship where her father made a name for himself years ago.
Lia’s Eventful 2024 Racing Season
Lia Block has had a busy 2024, competing in the F1 Academy — a series designed to support women in open-wheel racing. Throughout the season, she has shown steady improvement, scoring points in six of her last seven races. She matched her career-best finish of fourth place in her last two events. She holds the eighth spot in the championship standings with four races remaining in the season. Her commitment to racing and her growing list of achievements show her potential to become a key figure in the motorsport world.
Why This Race Matters
For Lia Block, this opportunity is more than just another race. Driving a championship-winning Subaru not only strengthens her connection to her father’s legacy but also allows her to showcase her skills in an all-wheel-drive rally car. This race represents another stepping stone in her promising career, showing her adaptability across different motorsport disciplines.
Conclusion
Lia Block’s upcoming race in the championship-winning Subaru WRX at the Lake Superior Performance Rally is a significant moment for her. It revives her family’s ties with Subaru while giving her a chance to demonstrate her driving prowess. As she balances her time between rally racing and the F1 Academy, Lia Block continues to carve out her own legacy in the motorsport world.
FAQs
What car will Lia Block drive at the Lake Superior Performance Rally?
Lia will take the wheel of the Subaru WRX ARA24, which was built by Vermont SportsCar and clinched this year’s championship.
Why is this race significant for Lia Block?
This marks her debut behind the wheel of a Subaru, rekindling her family’s long-standing relationship with the brand, especially that of her father, Ken Block.
What has Lia Block achieved in the 2024 racing season?
She has competed in the F1 Academy, scoring points in six of her last seven races and currently ranks eighth in the series.
Who is Lia Block filling in for in this rally?
She is filling in for Brandon Semenuk, who has already secured his 2024 title and will not compete in the season’s final round.
When did Lia Block first drive an all-wheel-drive rally car?
Her first experience in an all-wheel-drive rally car was driving her father’s Escort RS Cosworth at the end of last season.